The 10 Smallest Cruise Ships in the World

Lately, we now have grow to be accustomed to seeing larger and larger ships. Particularly Royal Caribbean and Carnival are focusing increasingly on large measurement, and small cruise ships are disappearing from the market.

Fortunately, there are nonetheless a number of ships which are surprisingly small. Some can carry a number of hundred passengers, whereas others only some dozen!

These tiny ships positively ship a special form of expertise, extra intimate and private, however nonetheless assure the cruise expertise we all know and love.

Earlier than we see the listing, let me simply make clear that, based on the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a “cruise” is a voyage with an itinerary that touches at a sequence of ports. That’s the important thing distinction from ferries or yachts, that are one thing fully completely different.

10. Hebridean Princess

Passengers: 48

Crew Members: 38

Gross Tonnage: 2,112

Size: 71 m

Yr Constructed: 1964

Coming in at quantity 10 on the listing of the world’s smallest cruise ships is the Hebridean Princess from Hebridean Island Cruises.

It’s one of many world’s most intimate luxurious cruise ships with an distinctive crew-to-guest ratio. Solely 48 company served by 38 crew members.

One fascinating truth is that the ship was chartered a number of instances by Queen Elizabeth II for household holidays in Scotland. Right now, it affords itineraries that discover the Scottish Highlands, showcasing breathtaking pure landscapes.

9. Chichagof Dream

Passengers: 76

Crew Members: 30

Gross Tonnage: 1,471

Size: 63 m

Yr Constructed: 1984

In the event you like Alaska, Chichagof Dream might be the right alternative for you.

This ship is managed by Alaskan Dream Cruises, can carry as much as 76 company and, due to its measurement, can actually attain the distant wilderness of this lovely a part of the world.

On board, you’ll discover knowledgeable guides who know all the things in regards to the native wildlife for a really immersive Alaskan journey.

8. MS Monet

Passengers: 50

Crew Members: 29

Gross Tonnage: 1,453

Size: 67 m

Yr Constructed: 1998

MS Monet focuses on providing intimate cruises with itineraries within the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Aegean seas.

As you may anticipate, these itineraries characteristic gorgeous ports throughout Italy, Greece, and Spain. Sadly, the bigger ships typically wrestle to entry the smaller ports, so they have a tendency to stay to kind of the identical few.

Quite the opposite, due to the shallow draft and glossy profile, MS Monet can name at small ports and hidden bays that you just couldn’t see some other manner.

7. Le Ponant

Passengers: 64

Crew Members: 30

Gross Tonnage: 1,189

Size: 88 m

Yr Constructed: 1991

Le Ponant is a three-masted French luxurious crusing ship operated by Compagnie du Ponant

It has 16 cabins and it’s good for folks in search of relaxed and opulent cruises.

A really fascinating factor about this ship is that it typically adjustments its itineraries. Probably the most well-known routes embody the Greek Isles, the Seychelles, the Kimberley coast of Australia, and Antarctica.

6. Nationwide Geographic’s Sea Lion & Sea Chicken

Passengers: 62

Crew Members: 31

Gross Tonnage: 630

Size: 45 m

Yr Constructed: 1981

Nationwide Geographic has two small twin ships. As you possibly can anticipate from such a model, they prioritize exploration above all.

Each can carry about 62 company and have underwater cameras and hydrophones to unveil the hidden world beneath the locations you’ll go to.

They’re an ideal alternative for curious vacationers and, in fact, for vacationers who love nature and the environment.

5. Aqua Mare

Passengers: 16

Crew Members: 16

Gross Tonnage: 629

Size: 49 m

Yr Constructed: 1998

Aqua Mare is a small cruise ship specialised in Galápagos itineraries.

It will probably accommodate solely 16 company throughout seven suite cabins. Onboard, you’ll discover a panoramic-view restaurant, an outside lounge with barbecue, and a whirlpool.

Every journey is accompanied by two naturalist guides who lead day by day excursions ashore or underwater.

4. Admiralty Dream

Passengers: 49

Crew Members: 21

Gross Tonnage: 540

Size: 43 m

Yr Constructed: 1979

Admiralty Dream is the smallest ship of Alaskan Dream Cruises.

Clearly, this ship makes a speciality of Alaska itineraries and, as you possibly can see from the pic above, it has its personal tender to achieve even probably the most distant and inaccessible locations.

It’s good for vacationers who’re actually in search of distant wilderness and wish to discover locations with pristine nature.

3. MS Panorama II

Passengers: 49

Crew Members: 16–18

Gross Tonnage: 498

Size: 36 m

Yr Constructed: 2004

For a delightfully retro vibe, the motor-sailor MS Panorama II blends engine energy with the romance of sail.

It’s operated by Selection Cruises and explores primarily French Polynesia, but it surely additionally affords itineraries on the Mediterranean and Caribbean coasts, the Society Islands of Tahiti, and even East Indonesia’s archipelagos.

It will probably accommodate as much as 49 company and has spacious widespread areas, together with a library and two lounges.

2. Safari Quest

Passengers: 22

Crew Members: 11

Gross Tonnage: 345

Size: 36 m

Yr Constructed: 1992

Second place among the many world’s smallest cruise ships goes to Safari Quest!

As soon as once more, this can be a ship that focuses on itineraries in Alaska, and its compact measurement lets it method slim bays and looming glaciers that bigger ships can solely admire from afar.

Company may also go for kayaking excursions which are completely tailor-made to this small-group journey format. In the event you’re focused on it, most cruises depart from Juneau, Alaska’s capital.

1. Superstar Xploration

Passengers: 16

Crew Members: 12

Gross Tonnage: 320

Size: 29 m

Yr Constructed: 2017

And now for the winner: Superstar Xploration! Extensively thought to be the smallest cruise ship on the planet.

Superstar Xploration belongs to Superstar Cruises, the well-known line that falls underneath the Royal Caribbean umbrella.

It will probably carry solely 16 company in its eight cabins, bookable both individually or by households and teams.

Xploration affords all-inclusive cruises by the Galápagos Islands with a naturalist information to disclose all of the secrets and techniques of the breathtaking archipelago of volcanic islands.

Clearly, the expertise is totally completely different from that of bigger ships, however for extra particulars, I like to recommend studying the article on why smaller cruise ships are higher than bigger ones.

As well as, since we’ve seen the smaller ones, it’s time to additionally see what are the ten greatest cruise ships on this planet.